Blake Lively’s longtime fitness trainer recalled feeling “uncomfortable” during her interaction with Justin Baldoni.
In a court statement obtained by Us Weekly Wednesday, Don Saladino recalled communicating with the “Fate Ends” director “several times” in February 2023.
“He provided information on nutrition and training plans. His existing training program included regular back extensions,” Saladino said of Baldoni.
“I recommended a training program to Mr. Baldoni and provided information about my standard nutritional plan,” continued Mr. Saladino. “I also recommended a particular person who lived near Mr. Baldoni at the time and who could act as his trainer.”
Saladino, who said he had never met Baldoni in person, claimed that the director called him during training and called him to ask personal questions about the “Gossip Girl” alum.
“I remember Mr. Baldoni asking me how much Ms. Lively would weigh by the time filming began,” Saladino claimed in her filing. “He stated that he had asked about her weight in connection with a scripted lift scene and suggested that he needed to know Ms. Lively’s weight to determine whether she could perform the lift.”
Saladino said Baldoni’s questions were “very unpleasant.”
“I have never had anyone contact me about a client’s weight,” Saladino claimed. “Based on my understanding of Mr. Baldoni’s training regimen, I felt that Mr. Baldoni’s explanation of his question was disingenuous given that he could easily perform lifts on a range that included Ms. Lively.”
The gym coach claimed he did not share Lively’s weight with Baldoni and immediately alerted Lively to the incident.
“Ms. Lively seemed embarrassed and hurt that Mr. Baldoni asked her about her weight without her permission,” Saladino recalled.
Page Six has reached out to Baldoni’s representatives for comment.
Saladino’s statement confirmed a 2024 report in which Lively allegedly felt “fat shamed” by Baldoni’s weight survey.
At the time, sources said Baldoni asked a trainer about Lively’s weight before filming the scene in which he lifted her.
The “Jane the Virgin” star reportedly has a history of back pain and wanted to be able to lift Jane without hurting herself.
Ms. Lively found his question about her weight “annoying,” considering she gave birth to her fourth child a few months before filming began on the movie.
The “A Simple Favor” star, 38, sued Baldoni, 41, in December 2024, alleging sexual harassment on the set of a movie. Baldoni also accused him of retaliation, breach of contract, infliction of emotional distress, invasion of privacy and loss of wages.
Ms. Baldoni denies the accusations and has fired back with a $400 million countersuit accusing Ms. Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, of defamation.
He also sued the New York Times, which first reported on Lively’s lawsuit, for defamation.
Last June, a judge dismissed Baldoni’s counterclaim.
Lively’s case is still ongoing, with a trial scheduled to begin on May 18th.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call our Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-330-0226.
